L‐Arginine Increases Postprandial Circulating GLP‐1 and PYY Levels in Humans

Abstract

ObjectiveThe satiating effect of protein compared with other nutrients has been well described and is thought to be mediated, in part, by gut hormone release. Previously, it has been shown that oral L‐arginine acts as a GLP‐1 secretagogue both in vitro and in vivo in rodents. Here, the effect of L‐arginine on gut hormone release in humans was investigated.MethodsThe hypothesis was tested in two separate studies. The first study assessed the tolerability of oral L‐arginine in healthy human subjects. The second study assessed the effect of oral L‐arginine on gut hormone release following an ad libitum meal. Subjects were given L‐arginine, glycine (control amino acid), or vehicle control in a randomized double‐blind fashion.ResultsAt a dose of 17.1 mmol, L‐arginine was well tolerated and stimulated the release of plasma GLP‐1 (P < 0.05) and PYY (P < 0.001) following an ad libitum meal. Food diaries showed a trend toward lower energy intake and particularly fat intake following L‐arginine treatment.ConclusionsL‐arginine can significantly elevate GLP‐1 and PYY in healthy human volunteers in combination with a meal. Further work is required to investigate whether L‐arginine may have utility in the suppression of appetite and food intake.

Impact of Protein Intake in Older Adults with Sarcopenia and Obesity: A Gut Microbiota Perspective

“…This may indicate that the microbiome may play a pivotal role in mTOR activation and leucine metabolism in the intestinal epithelial cells, possessing a propitious role in metabolic health [ 86 ]. Likewise, amino acids, such as tryptophan, alanine, and phenylalanine may also impact satiety and gut motility through GLP-1, PYY, and serotonin modulation from the intestinal enteroendocrine L cells [ 225 , 226 , 227 , 228 , 229 , 230 , 231 ]. SCFAs may act as substrates in several tissues for GPCRs, stimulating GLP-1 and PYY release, delaying gastric emptying and reducing appetite and food intake [ 227 , 232 , 233 ].…”

Evaluation of an Amino Acid Mix on the Secretion of Gastrointestinal Peptides, Glucometabolic Homeostasis, and Appetite in Obese Adolescents Administered with a Fixed-Dose or ad Libitum Meal

“…In separate days, with a wash-out period of at least 7 days, in agreement with a randomized order and cross-over design, starting from 8.00 a.m., the participants underwent two tests consisting of oral administration, after 12 h of overnight fasting, of a drink containing an amino acid mix (3 g of L-arginine + 3 g of L-tryptophan + 6 g of L-leucine + 6 g of L-glutamine, for a total of 306 kJ) or placebo (18.7 g of maltodextrins, Enervit Maltodestrine Sport, Enervit spa, Erba, Italy, for a total of 306 kJ). The choice of the amino acid doses was based on pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic considerations of clinical studies previously published [35][36][37][38][39][40]. The powder of each supplement (amino acids or maltodextrins) was dissolved in 150 mL of orange juice (with 0.75 g of proteins, 13.1 g of carbohydrates, and 0.0 g of fats, for a total of 230 kJ).…”

“…L-arginine reduces food intake and increases circulating levels of GLP-1 and PYY in animals [32][33][34]. Recently, L-arginine has been reported to be ineffective in fasting individuals but to increase secretion of PYY and GLP-1 after administration of an ad libitum meal, without changing appetite and calorie intake [35]. L-glutamine stimulates secretion of GLP-1, so as to be defined as amino acid "GLP-1-secretagogue" [36][37][38].…”

Amino acids differ in their capacity to stimulate GLP-1 release from the perfused rat small intestine and stimulate secretion by different sensing mechanisms

“…Several amino acids have been demonstrated to be potent stimulators of GLP-1 release in vivo and in vitro (4,5,(26)(27)(28)(29)(30), however, detailed characterizations of relative efficacy of the individual amino acids are rare, and important aspects of the responsible mechanisms remain unknown, since neither studies in vivo nor conventional in vitro studies can discriminate between stimulation of GLP-1 secretion from the luminal or vascular side of the gut. In addition, further identification of the repertoire of receptors responsible for sensing of the individual amino acids is needed.…”